Jim Coates vs. Bill McClain — Career Comparison

Bill McClain built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Coates as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Coates posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4 and WHIP 1.406 compared to 22.5 and 3.000 for Bill McClain. By the career numbers, Jim Coates had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.